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"I'm telling ya, Murph, she said, 'The British are coming.'"
"No, I don't think I'm losing my grip on reality." Lee Stetson could almost see the expression Murphy was making on the other end of the phone line.
"Yeah, fine let's see how you act next time Tommy does something new. You know it's..." He glanced around the Q-Bureau, it was empty, but his voice lowered anyway. "It's amazing. When we were kids I never thought that I'd get here. It was like some impossible dream. I mean, Lee Stetson with a family, leading a real life. A normal life. Who'd have thought it, right?"
The voice on the other end of the line was silent and then came the quiet response.
"Oh, right. You always knew. Give me a break." Lee shook his head even though his cousin couldn't possibly see the gesture all the way out in Colorado. "Anyway, thanks for the info. I'll be sure to pass it up the chain. We'll probably assign a security team in the Denver office to check things out." He made a note and closed a file. "Hm? No, I'm gonna be stuck here for a couple of more hours. The paperwork in this job just never seems to end."
After a few more comments, and a promise to make the next reunion, they said their good-byes and hung up. Lee picked up a pen and glanced sourly at the pile of expense reports. Far too much paperwork, indeed. He opened the manila folder but his eyes were drawn to the edge of his desk rather than the typed words. At the corner sat a small photo in a wooden frame. His family. It had a nice ring to it.
Four hours later and long after the sun had set, Lee was able to close the last file and stow it away in the vault. Stretching, he shifted his shoulders to try and work the kinks out. It had been a long day. It was late and he was tired. He glanced at the phone thinking about letting Amanda know he was on his way but then realized she'd probably just be getting Jennifer to sleep. And waking a newly asleep baby was the last thing he wanted to do. Better to just go home.
He rubbed his face wearily as he drove through the gate and up the driveway. Pulling into the garage, he felt a half smile tug at the tired corners of his mouth, anticipating hearing about little Jenny's newest exploits. Opening the garage door to go into the house, the strident beeping of the house alarm assaulted his ears sweeping away all traces of exhaustion with a single adrenaline rush. Freezing, he immediately pulled out his gun. Eyes searching. Nothing was moving. Swiftly he canvassed the kitchen and downstairs rooms. Gun held at the ready. Apprehension pulled at him. Still nothing.
Where? Where was she? He thought frantically. Knowing that her car was parked in the garage. Knowing that she should be there.
Coming to the base of the stairs, he looked up. Seeking. No sounds broke past the shrill beeping. Years of training to be cautious fell away. He took the stairs two at a time. Opening the door to their bedroom he had to force himself from re-coiling at the sheer devastation that greeted him. End tables and lamps were overturned. Dresser contents swept aside. Pillows slashed. A window stood wide open. A window that overlooked the concrete and wood patio two stories below. Panic began to spear through his chest. A panic that was not aided by the sudden cessation of the ringing alarm.
He went and stood by the window. The mesh netting had been knocked out. For a moment he hesitated then forced himself to look. He released a held breath. There was no one below. "Thank you. Thank you, God." He whispered.
Suddenly, faintly, he heard a sound. A soft cry. Turning he scanned the room. Seeking for what he might have missed. His eyes fell on the shut door connecting the master suite to the baby's room. He stood there, ear pressed to the crack. The crying was much louder. His pulse sputtered into overdrive. He moved to one side and yanked open the door.
"Freeze!" Came a hoarse, near hysterical voice.
"Amanda! It's me." Lee called. The baby's wails grew louder, more insistent. He entered the doorway, gaze searching wildly.
Amanda was crouched in the corner of the room. Shielding Jenny protectively, as she attempted to steady a gun with shaking hands. Not three feet from her was a man stretched out face down in a pool of blood. He was obviously dead. His left hand still clutched a gun.
Amanda's eyes were wild and not quite focusing. Lee stepped over the body and crouched down before her. "Amanda?" He said softly. "It's okay darling. It's okay." He carefully grasped her wrist and lifted the gun from her shaking fingers. "It's okay. I'm here now."
Amanda's eyes lifted to meet his and they seemed to truly focus on him. "Lee?" Her lips began to tremble and tears started to fill her eyes.
"Shh, now. Everything's going to be all right. " Lee said, as one hand reached out to stroke the top of Jenny's head. The baby's frightened cries had quieted as soon as she'd heard the rumble of his familiar voice. "Amanda. Are you two all right?" Despite what his hands and eyes saw, he sought reassurance.
Rubbing her hands restively across the baby's back, Amanda nodded her head.
"Were there any others?"
"No. No others." Amanda whispered, her hand reaching forward and clutching the lapel of his suit. His callused fingers covered hers and held on tightly. Her hand felt so fragile beneath his. She began to cry. "I've never been so scared in my whole life." Her voice shook with reaction. "He came in the window. I was bringing the baby up to bed. I heard the alarm. But...but..." Her voice hitched. "I never expected him to be standing right behind me. He was going... going to take Jennifer." She began to sob. "He wouldn't stop. I... I had to make him stop." The terror in her voice hit him like a slug to the stomach. Lee scooped her up into his arms, turning he sat down with his back to the wall, Amanda cradled in his arms, the baby still clutched protectively to her chest. He murmured reassuring sounds. But all the while his heart thudded unmercifully against his ribs.
Amanda leaned her head wearily against him. Shock was taking effect and she started to shiver with cold. "I hate guns." She murmured with a catch in her breath between each word.
"Yeah, I know." Lee said, brushing a rough hand up and down her arm attempting to warm her. "I know." Even as he spoke he could hear the faint wail of sirens in the distance. He wrapped his arms more tightly around the two of them. His wife and his baby. Thank God, Philip and Jamie had been away at their grandmother's for the week. He rubbed his cheek against the crown of her head and took in a steadying breath. He inhaled her scent and the baby's as the full meaning of what tonight's kidnaping attempt probably meant. This was the thing he feared the most. The type of situation that had nearly made him call off their wedding plans. A situation that had resulted in Lee growing up without love or comfort his entire life. His entire life until he had found Amanda. A normal family, not by a long shot. He hugged her even closer as he looked up and stared at the three feet separating them from the dead man's body.
This one had been too close.